Problems
J. Cole [Ft. Kevin Cossom] Lyrics

Five niggas, counted five niggas, all inside of that roller coaster
J. Cole is describing a group of five people riding a roller coaster together.

Loop-de-loop, over and over
The roller coaster they are riding goes through a loop and repeats the same motion over and over again.

Dope Francis, pullin' Drogas
J. Cole is referencing two drug-related terms, suggesting that some of the people in the roller coaster group may be involved in drug use.

Shaka Zulu in the tub, holdin' toasters, niggawood
J. Cole is painting a picture of someone in a bath holding guns, using the names of a historical African warrior and a type of wood to add detail.

In the club, on the sofa, on the wall that got two chains
J. Cole is describing various locations of people, including someone on a couch in a club with two chains on the wall behind them.

On her titties boy, that's a motorboat
J. Cole is referencing the phrase 'motorboating', which is a sexual act involving breasts.

You can go with Noah, go overboard her
J. Cole is using wordplay to suggest going overboard in a relationship with a woman, and ties it to the biblical story of Noah and the flood.

Life of Pi, so crazy
J. Cole is referencing the book 'Life of Pi', which involves a young boy and a tiger lost at sea, and comments on the craziness of the situation.

Silver Surfer, so wavy
J. Cole is referencing the Marvel character Silver Surfer, known for riding a surfboard through space, and commenting on how cool and wavy he is.

Be Army, go Navy
J. Cole is referencing the two branches of the United States military, suggesting that it's cool to be a part of either.

So cool, go baby
J. Cole is encouraging someone to be confident and cool.

Golden blue, so navy
J. Cole is describing a color that's a mix between gold and blue, then ties it back to the Navy theme in the previous line.

Old school, I'm so 80's
J. Cole is saying that he's old school and retro, and ties it to the 80's era.

Drop verses, top earnin'
J. Cole is boasting about his ability to write and perform music, suggesting that he's making a lot of money from it.

Convert a bird and I'm so Shady
J. Cole is using wordplay to suggest that he can convince someone to do something (convert a bird), and ties it to the rapper Eminem (who calls himself 'Slim Shady').

Keith Richards, I'm no Grady
J. Cole is comparing himself to the musician Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, and distancing himself from a hypothetical 'Grady.'

I'm all tsunami, can't point break me
J. Cole is comparing himself to a tsunami, suggesting that he's unstoppable and can't be broken.

I don't want no problems
J. Cole is saying that he doesn't want any trouble or conflict.

Lupeland, carnival
J. Cole is creating a fictional place called 'Lupeland' and describing it as a carnival.

Barnum & Bailey pardon you
J. Cole is referencing the Barnum & Bailey circus and suggesting that he's forgiving someone for their mistakes.

Place car with barre, barnival
J. Cole is making a wordplay on the terms 'car' and 'barre', and combining them with the word 'barnival' to create a new phrase.

Lose control, bumper car or two
J. Cole is comparing losing control to being in a bumper car and crashing into another car.

Like funnel cake from that fun house, you lose an arm or two
J. Cole is suggesting that someone can lose control in a fun house and even be injured in the process.

Doin' battle with the bottles like a baller too
J. Cole is using wordplay to suggest that he's fighting against alcohol addiction like it's a battle, and tying it to being a baller (wealthy).

Like a carnivore at a bar-b-que
J. Cole is comparing someone's appetite to that of a wild animal.

Art of war, arsenal
J. Cole is referencing the book 'The Art of War' and suggesting that he has his own arsenal of strategies.

I'm a level four on your armor too
J. Cole is saying that he's on a higher level than someone else even when they're wearing armor for protection.

Nigga that don't match, armadillo
J. Cole is making a rhyme and play on words between 'match' and 'armadillo', calling someone out for not matching or fitting in.

That don't rap, what's wrong with you
J. Cole is saying that someone doesn't belong or fit in because they don't have the right skills.

That's detrimental
J. Cole is saying that someone's actions or behavior are harmful or negative.

Homeboy, residential mind state
J. Cole is calling someone 'homeboy' and commenting on their mindset, suggesting that they're comfortable and unambitious.

Existential Rolex
J. Cole is using wordplay to suggest that he has a Rolex watch and that he thinks about existentialism (the meaning of life and existence).

Presidental, time waits
J. Cole is making a reference to time and how it waits for no one, tying it to the presidency.

For no man that I've ever met
J. Cole is saying that he's never met anyone who can stop or control time.

Tell him no standard that I've ever set
J. Cole is saying that he hasn't set any limits or standards for himself in life or in his music.

Live right now like it's better yet
J. Cole is encouraging someone to live in the present and make the most of their life.

Treat a trash can like a treasure chest
J. Cole is saying that someone should value what they have and not take things for granted, even if it seems like trash.

Don't jump ship for a better deck
J. Cole is suggesting that someone shouldn't abandon what they have now for something else that seems better.

Or dump chips on a better bet
J. Cole is continuing the gambling metaphor and suggesting that someone shouldn't bet on something else that seems better.

Don't change gangs for a less set
J. Cole is using wordplay and cautioning someone not to switch sides or groups for something worse.

Full of fake niggas to get better checks
J. Cole is saying that people in fake gangs or groups are only doing it for money or a better life.

When it's real niggas that ain't never never left
J. Cole is saying that true friends (real niggas) never leave each other.

Their good ghetto for a better mess
J. Cole is saying that some people left their familiar surroundings and community (ghetto) only to find themselves in a worse situation.

And my father told me just die well
J. Cole is referencing advice from his father, suggesting that it's important to live a good life and leave a positive legacy.

So I'mma do my best to have a better death
J. Cole is saying that he'll try to live a fulfilling life so that when he dies, he'll have left a positive impact.

And give a lot 'cause your deeds speak when you resurrect
J. Cole is suggesting that good deeds done in life will be remembered after death.

'Bout revolution ain't ready yet
J. Cole is referencing the idea of a revolution and suggesting that people aren't ready for it.

But you don't never know so don't ever guess on letter X
J. Cole is saying that no one knows what will happen in the future, so don't waste time guessing or making assumptions.

Lupeland, freak show, eyes all in that peek hole
J. Cole is returning to his fictional place Lupeland and describing a freak show with people looking through a peephole.

You believe that you know that girl but I don't even really think so
J. Cole is suggesting that people may think they know someone, but they don't really understand them.

Paris skirt in her Paris heels
J. Cole is using alliteration to describe a woman wearing a skirt and heels.

Where we at? Where is real?
J. Cole is questioning where reality is.

Lupeland, cotton candy, carousals, Ferris wheels
J. Cole is listing more attractions in his fictional place Lupeland, including cotton candy and carousel and Ferris wheels.

I'm just playin', I'm gon' kill em'
J. Cole is using wordplay with 'playing' to suggest that he's joking, but also saying that he'll kill it (do really well).

Where your niggas?
J. Cole is asking where someone's friends are.

I'm just, I'm just, I'm just chillin'
J. Cole repeats the refrain of the song, emphasizing that he's not looking for problems and is just relaxing.